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Climatic indices and classifications in relation to the biogeography of southern Africa

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Biogeography and Ecology of Southern Africa

Part of the book series: Monographiae Biologicae ((MOBI,volume 31))

Abstract

For land-based plant communities four divisions of potential restraints on growth exist, viz. climatic, topographic, edaphic and biotic restrictions (Watts 1971). Of these four, climatic restrictions are usually the most important — certainly for biogeographical and ecological studies on a subcontinental scale — for plants depend directly or indirectly on the atmosphere for certain fundamental materials, for their successful growth and reproduction. Different species, for instance, vary in their minimum requirements for, and in their tolerance of, particular climatic conditions and these conditions therefore play a major role in determining where a particular plant can or cannot exist (Tivy 1971).

The authors wish to thank Mrs. H. Smithers and Mr. B. Martin, both of the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, for their assistance with the compilation of the maps. Many of the data were collected in the U.K. by one of the authors (R.E.S.) while a C.S.I.R. Overseas Grant holder.

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Authors
  1. R. E. Schulze
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  2. O. S. McGee
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geobotany, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

    M. J. A. Werger

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© 1978 Dr W. Junk bv Publishers The Hague

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Schulze, R.E., McGee, O.S. (1978). Climatic indices and classifications in relation to the biogeography of southern Africa. In: Werger, M.J.A. (eds) Biogeography and Ecology of Southern Africa. Monographiae Biologicae, vol 31. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9951-0_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9951-0_2

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